Good summary Meds,I agree about Edlers ice-time.they need to make sure he doesn't get overworked. If Bieksa is out for awhile it will be a good opportunity to assess the 7,8,and 9 D-men,we all know they will probably be needed if they are to be successful in the play offs. Glad to see Ballard/Tanev playing so well this season. I expect a full 10 games back before we can truly gauge Kesler and Booth but I'm really liking what i am seeing from Kess so far.

dangler wrote:Good summary Meds,I agree about Edlers ice-time.they need to make sure he doesn't get overworked. If Bieksa is out for awhile it will be a good opportunity to assess the 7,8,and 9 D-men,we all know they will probably be needed if they are to be successful in the play offs. Glad to see Ballard/Tanev playing so well this season. I expect a full 10 games back before we can truly gauge Kesler and Booth but I'm really liking what i am seeing from Kess so far.

Yeah, my point on Edler is that shorter shifts where he is fresh will probably mean fewer mistakes.

One thing I noticed the past couple games is the stabilizing effect both Tanev and Ballard have had on their respective new partners. Is it me, or does Ballard make Garrison look better out there? Tanev, well, it seems he's the safety net no matter who he plays with. Nice to have a guy who can provide AV and Bowness with that kind of flexibility.

I'm not worried about Kesler. He still seems as quick as ever and his puck pursuit is there. His wrist-shots have a lot of the same zip as before and his one-timers still have mustard - they're just badly off-target. The same with Booth. I'm willing to give them some time get themselves calibrated before passing any judgement.

Funny thing about Edler is everybody (myself included) harps on his boneheaded moments and when he makes like Bambi out there, but then you look at the numbers and it's a different story.

Much as I wager Alberts will be the one to step in, it would be interesting (perhaps in a morbid way) to see what Barker can do out there. Better to find out now than in the playoffs.

Lancer wrote:One thing I noticed the past couple games is the stabilizing effect both Tanev and Ballard have had on their respective new partners. Is it me, or does Ballard make Garrison look better out there? Tanev, well, it seems he's the safety net no matter who he plays with. Nice to have a guy who can provide AV and Bowness with that kind of flexibility.

For sure. Both of those guys are having good years. Ballard seems to have bought in finally, and while he still takes some risks, he is using his speed really effectively to get back and he has raced back several times to take away odd man rushes. Taney in just rock steady. I was watching him last night against Nashville and his positioning was just incredible. He never jumped into the play early, he didn't over-commit defensively, he didn't put himself in positions where he could get out muscled or out hustled. He took lanes away and moved the puck smartly out of dangerous areas, and he never panicked. I really like him with Edler because he plays a thinking game and sets himself up to support his partner, whether that be to provide a safe outlet passing option or drop back to cover when the other guy pinches in case it goes wrong. I think he's one of the smartest defensemen this club has had in quite a long while.

The radio spoke to Lain and he says there are a lot of teams interested in him. The Canucks are one of the teams and they have been after him for quite some time. He will speak with his agent, Ian Pulver, this weekend and will make a decision on where he will play professional hockey soon.

Lake Superior State coach Jim Roque projects Lain as a third or fourth line checking centre in the National Hockey League. Think Brian Boyle of the New York Rangers perhaps?

Lain recently completed his junior season with the Lakers putting up 111 penalty minutes, eight goals and 16 points in 32 games.

TSN’s Bob McKenzie expects Lain to be one of the first college free agents to sign with an NHL team and it could happen as early as in the next 48 hours. The Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, and Phoenix Coyotes are among the other Western Conference teams interested in the centre.

Other college free agents the Canucks are reportedly interested in include right winger Antoine Laganiere, and defencemen Andrej Sustr and Shayne Taker. Sustr and Taker are both big defencemen with Sustr standing at 6’8″ and 218 pounds and Taker at 6’4″ and 196 pounds.